Hen acting egg bound but lays? Odd laying behavior.

[Cleopatra Opal]

I have a one year old BR that has been having odd laying behavior. She was lethargic, droopy tail, empty crop, not drinking, etc and hadn't laid that day. Thought maybe egg bound, but on check, no egg. Separated her and gave her electrolytes/water with a dropper. Within a few hours she started perking back up. Eating, drinking, and pooping again. Laid an egg the next morning and acting totally normal. Fast forward 2 days, no new eggs and repeated the same behavior. One eye kept closing and she would just sit in the middle of the yard or look like she was falling asleep standing up, totally lethargic, no food/water, but she was still pooping. Proceeded to check her over to try to figure out what was going on, there was an egg en route. I was preparing everything to soak her and she ended up laying on her own before she got in the tub. Perked right back up and started eating and drinking again. Any ideas what may be causing her to have this behavior?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a one year old BR that has been having odd laying behavior. She was lethargic, droopy tail, empty crop, not drinking, etc and hadn't laid that day. Thought maybe egg bound, but on check, no egg. Separated her and gave her electrolytes/water with a dropper. Within a few hours she started perking back up. Eating, drinking, and pooping again. Laid an egg the next morning and acting totally normal. Fast forward 2 days, no new eggs and repeated the same behavior. One eye kept closing and she would just sit in the middle of the yard or look like she was falling asleep standing up, totally lethargic, no food/water, but she was still pooping. Proceeded to check her over to try to figure out what was going on, there was an egg en route. I was preparing everything to soak her and she ended up laying on her own before she got in the tub. Perked right back up and started eating and drinking again. Any ideas what may be causing her to have this behavior?

What are you feeding her, including treats?
Is she fat or does she have any bloat/swelling or fluid in the abdomen?

I would cut out any extra treats, provide her with some extra calcium for a few days (1/2 Caltrate - calcium + D3). See that she's drinking well and eating her normal food.

She may be developing some reproductive problems, it's hard to know and if she is, sadly there is a lot you can do about that except to make sure she's eating a good balanced diet, drinking well and that she doesn't have anything else going on like internal/external parasites.

 

[Cleopatra Opal]

What are you feeding her, including treats?
Is she fat or does she have any bloat/swelling or fluid in the abdomen?

I would cut out any extra treats, provide her with some extra calcium for a few days (1/2 Caltrate - calcium + D3). See that she's drinking well and eating her normal food.

She may be developing some reproductive problems, it's hard to know and if she is, sadly there is a lot you can do about that except to make sure she's eating a good balanced diet, drinking well and that she doesn't have anything else going on like internal/external parasites.

The hens primarily eat a layer feed with protein. Treats... some scratch with meal worms, vegi scraps occasionally, and a couple of hours free ranging a day (we are in town). Thanks for the advice, I will cut down on the scratch. Although that's how I get them back in the run... they are well trained when they see the red solo cup with scratch Their covered run is pretty spacious so they are active through the day scratching around. I would say normal size, not overweight or bloated/swollen.

Thanks for the tip with the calcium addition. I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with the Caltrate - calcium + D3. Is that a human supplement? If it's a pill, how do you prepare it so the hen will ingest it? Thanks for the help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The hens primarily eat a layer feed with protein. Treats... some scratch with meal worms, vegi scraps occasionally, and a couple of hours free ranging a day (we are in town). Thanks for the advice, I will cut down on the scratch. Although that's how I get them back in the run... they are well trained when they see the red solo cup with scratch Their covered run is pretty spacious so they are active through the day scratching around. I would say normal size, not overweight or bloated/swollen.

Thanks for the tip with the calcium addition. I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with the Caltrate - calcium + D3. Is that a human supplement? If it's a pill, how do you prepare it so the hen will ingest it? Thanks for the help!

Are you in the US?
Caltrate is a human calcium supplement you can find it in pharmacies or walmart.
Cut the pill in half and pop it into her beak. If that doesn't work for you, crush it up and add it to a small treat of scrambled egg.

Hopefully she is just having troubles passing a soft shell egg, but often this is an indication that something else is starting to happen with them. Reproductive disorders are common in laying hens.

 

[Cleopatra Opal]

Are you in the US?
Caltrate is a human calcium supplement you can find it in pharmacies or walmart.
Cut the pill in half and pop it into her beak. If that doesn't work for you, crush it up and add it to a small treat of scrambled egg.

Hopefully she is just having troubles passing a soft shell egg, but often this is an indication that something else is starting to happen with them. Reproductive disorders are common in laying hens.

Yes, I'm in the US. I forget this board is international. I wasn't familiar with the supplement, but I have a Walgreens in town so I will pick some up. I really hope that the adjustments I make are able to bring her around and there isn't something bigger going on. I appreciate your time and responses!

 

[aart]

a layer feed with protein

What's the protein percentage?

Hopefully she is just having troubles passing a soft shell egg,

@Cleopatra Opal .. Are the eggs she's laying soft shelled? Didn't see that, but maybe I missed it.

Any chance she's being bullied away from feed and water?

Might want to isolate this hen for a couple days/nights of observation.
I'd isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Yes, I'm in the US.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Cleopatra Opal]

What's the protein percentage?

@Cleopatra Opal .. Are the eggs she's laying soft shelled? Didn't see that, but maybe I missed it.

Any chance she's being bullied away from feed and water?

Might want to isolate this hen for a couple days/nights of observation.
I'd isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1721177

The layer feed is 21%

No soft shelled eggs, so far so good. Thank you for all of the info. I will be checking her more frequently to see if I can figure out a pattern.

She's actually the head chicken at the top of the pecking order. She eats and drinks at will.

Updated my location - Thanks!